WWE’s new Money in the Bank pay-per-view takes place on Sunday, July 18th from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Event Synopsis: “On Sunday, July 18th, a heart-pounding WWE match-up will take place 20 feet above the ring…in a steel briefcase! Don’t miss one second of the action as Jack Swagger, John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H, Rey Mysterio, and all your favorite WWE Superstars battle it out in “WWE: Money in the Bank! Catch it live on Sunday, July 18th, on Pay-Per-View!”

There is currently talk of doing a Money in the Bank ladder match featuring the NXT Season 2 rookies, with the winner getting a WWE contract.

Cable provider iNDEMAND has released a second promotional poster for the event, featuring Kofi Kingston.

Here are the two PPV posters for WWE Money in the Bank:

Here are some live notes from last night’s WWE RAW, which took place from the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC.

Superstars Tapings:

– Primo wrestled Yoshi Tatsu. Primo was the heel and has new entrance music.

– The Uso Twins (with Tamina) wrestled Mark Henry and Goldust.

Live Notes:

– The building was around 90% full and the crowd was hot all night.

– The NXT crew had a lot of heat.

– Guest host Mark Feuerstein was very over with the crowd. The crowd popped big when he did the worm during his tag match.

– At the end of RAW when the NXT guys kidnapped and beat up Bret Hart backstage, the WWE Superstars who were guarding the stage area simply watched the whole thing on the Titan Tron and didn’t run back to help Bret.

Dark Match Main Event:

– After RAW went off the air, John Cena defeated Sheamus in a quick match to send the crowd home happy.

– Tonight’s RAW kicks off with a recap video of the NXT invasion angle last week. There is some footage of Daniel Bryan but none of the tie incident with Justin Roberts.

– WE go to the arena where Wade Barrett is standing in the ring. The crowd boo’s him big time. Barrett introduces himself, for those that don’t know him, he says. Barrett says he’s in the ring now because RAW’s GM Bret Hart demanded that he come and apologize for his actions last week. Barrett invites the rest of the Season 1 Rookies to the ring and out they come, through the crowd. There is no sign of Daniel Bryan.

Cole and Lawler get up and walk away as they feel uncomfortable. Barrett asks Heath Slater to apologize first. He says no, he would do it again. Barrett asks Justin Gabriel next. He won’t apologize either. Barrett asks Skip Sheffield next and he has on apologies and no regrets. Barrett asks Tarver if he’s feeling apologetic. Tarver said the look of fear on everyone’s face made his dreams and there’s nobody in WWE who can make him apologize. Barrett asks Darren Young to apologize and he says no chance. Barrett asks David Otunga next. Otunga says after the way they were treated, WWE needs to apologize to them. Barrett says it’s unanimous, no apologies. Barrett says they were treated like animals on NXT and now they’re behaving like animals.

Barrett says WWE officials tried to make a joke out of them but after RAW last week, nobody was laughing. Barrett says they destroyed RAW last week and impressed everyone. Bret Hart’s music hits and out comes the General Manager. Bret says they all look pretty proud of themselves. Bret says 8 guys on 1 makes you a coward, not tough. Wade Barrett brings up Daniel Bryan and says he had remorse like Bret does. Barrett says this is why you will never see Daniel Bryan again. Barrett says they have no problem with anyone in the WWE locker room, it’s between them and management. Barrett says it’s time to get down to business. He has a WWE contract and a WWE Title shot at a pay-per-view of his choosing. Barrett says the other Rookies have demands.

Otunga takes the mic and says they all want guaranteed WWE contracts, their own private dressing rooms and first-class travel accommodations. Otunga says if WWE fails to comply with even one of their demands, last week will be just the beginning. Barrett reminds Bret that Vince McMahon told him weeks ago that he would have tough choices as RAW GM and this is one of them. Barrett says he and the Rookies are young polished athletes who are ready to fight. He says Bret could change history by giving them contracts. Bret’s answer for them is no. The crowd likes this. Bret says he isn’t signing any of them. Barrett interrupts and says Bret is making a big mistake. Bret says they are the ones making big mistakes. Bret says Barrett can forget about getting a WWE Title shot on pay-per-view because… you’re fired. Bret fires Barrett. Bret tells the rest of them to get out of the ring now or he will call police and have them removed for trespassing. Bret says they are all done.

The Rookies just stand in the ring. Sheffield says it’s their time and they’re not leaving. We go to commercial.

Fatal 4 Way Match for the WWE US Title: R-Truth vs. John Morrison vs. Zack Ryder vs. The Miz

Back from the break and we’ve got a Fatal Four Way match for the WWE United States Title. Out first comes the United States Champion, R-Truth, who is from Charlotte. Out next comes John Morrison followed by Zack Ryder and finally The Miz. The bell rings and Ryder goes at it with Morrison while Truth and Miz go at it. Morrison dumps Ryder to the floor and dropkicks Miz. It’s down to Morrison and Truth. They lock up and go back and forth. Truth with a 2 count.

Ryder comes in and takes out Truth. He comes over the top rope onto Truth but lands on the floor. Miz comes over and takes out Ryder. Miz and Morrison go at it on the apron. Morrison powerbombs Miz from the apron onto Ryder and the floor. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Morrison lays out Miz for a 2 count. Another 2 count by Morrison. Morrison drops Ryder on the top rope and they fight it out in the corner. Morrison goes for a superplex but Ryder blocks it. Truth comes over and powerbombs them both off the top. Truth covers Miz for a 2 count. Truth goes for three more consecutive pin attempts. Truth beats down Miz and Ryder then drops Morrison on his face. Truth hits the scissors kick on Ryder for a 2 count as Miz makes the save. Miz clears the ring and it’s him with Ryder. Miz hits a big clothesline in the corner on Ryder. Miz goes to the floor and Morrison drops him with a huge clothesline. Truth hits the flying forearm on Ryder in the ring but only gets 2 as Morrison breaks the pin. Morrison and Truth go at it. They dump Miz to the floor. Morrison misses a springboard attack. Truth hits a nice cutter type move for a 2 count as Ryder stops it.

Ryder hits the Ruff Ryder on Truth for a 2 count. Morrison makes the save and dumps Ryder. Morrison hits Starship Pain on Truth. Miz comes over and throws Morrison out of the ring. Miz covers Truth for the pinfall, the win and the title.

Winner and New WWE United States Champion: The Miz

– We go backstage with Josh Matthews and Randy Orton. He asks Orton about the status of his shoulder for Sunday’s Fatal 4 Way pay-per-view. Orton says anything can happen in a fatal four way, just wait and see. Josh asks Orton his thoughts on last week’s NXT invasion. Orton says part of him has to respect the Rookies but an even bigger part of him thinks they’re nothing but a bunch of punks. Orton says they deserve to be fired or beaten up. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get a preview of Big Show on this Thursday’s Royal Pains on USA Network. Show and Royal Pains star Mark Feuerstein are tonight’s RAW hosts. We go backstage with Mark and The Bella Twins. Mark says the Bellas would be perfect fits for his TV show. He plugs Thursday’s show with Big Show. Ted DiBiase walks in with Virgil. Ted says he might have a brand new car for Mark if he makes him co-host of RAW tonight. Mark says he has integrity and tells Ted no. Big Show appears behind Virgil and Ted as Mark insults Ted. Ted tells Virgil to handle it and they finally see Big Show. Show proposes himself and Feuerstein vs. Virgil and Ted in a tag team match. It’s agreed on and Ted walks off with Virgil. Mark jumps into Big Show’s arm and it confuses The Bella Twins, who walk off.

– We see John Cena walking backstage as we take another commercial break.

Chris Jericho vs. Evan Bourne

Back from the break and out comes Chris Jericho to the ring. Out next comes his opponent, Evan Bourne. The bell rings and Jericho unloads on Bourne. Bourne counters with a headscissors and a dropkick to the face. Bourne with a 2 count. Bourne kicks at Jericho. The announcers play up Jericho’s losing streak and how he’s been upset. Jericho fights back and backdrops Bourne, taunting him. Jericho chokes Bourne in the ropes. Jericho with a headlock now.

Bourne fights back with kicks and a big flying kick. Bourne with a sunset flip but Jericho goes for the Walls of Jericho. Bourne counters and rolls Jericho up for a close 2 count. Jericho hits the Codebreaker but Bourne kicks out at 2. Jericho wails away on Bourne now with kicks and punches. The referee tries to get him off. Jericho pulls his fist back at the referee and is disqualified.

Winner by DQ: Evan Bourne

– After the match, Jericho is pissed. He goes to bring Bourne into the ring for an attack but Bourne kicks him in the head. Bourne nails Air Bourne from the top and celebrates with his music.

– Lawler says that John Cena will be out next to address what happened last week. We go to commercial.

– Back from commercial and out comes the WWE Champion John Cena. Cena says he was given the night off tonight by Bret Hart but after what happened last week, he has to handle things the only way he knows how. Cena thanks Bret for not caving in to the Rookies’ demands. Cena says some of him admires what the Rookies did last week. Cena says their plan was almost brilliant. He says their problem is with WWE management but they solved it by taking RAW away from the WWE Universe. Cena says they just made themselves 5 million new enemies. Cena says they destroyed a WWE ring, which is considered sacred ground. Cena says all WWE Superstars want the Rookies’ heads on plates. Cena says Wade Barrett was fired but that doesn’t solve anything. Cena says the Rookies aren’t worried about getting arrested. Cena says they’ve been thrown out tonight and he knows they’re not in the arena, but he is. Cena says he is going to Fatal 4 Way and will be on RAW the next night. Cena says he will demand every night that the Rookies come out and end this. Cena says they have all been fired from WWE but he will not press charges if they fight. The Rookies start coming through the crowd and stand at ringside behind the fan barrier.

The Rookies come over the barrier at ringside. William Regal, Santino Marella, R-Truth, Jerry Lawler and Evan Bourne come to the ring. They all come to the ring. Mark Henry comes down and gets involved. Randy Orton comes down next. Edge comes down and spears Barrett on the floor. The WWE Superstars are winning the fight. Sheamus comes down with a steel pipe and fights them off. The Rookies start retreating through the crowd. Santino punches them as they go over the barrier. The Rookies run off out of the arena with Santino and Truth chasing them. We go backstage where Henry, Orton and the other Superstars are chasing the Rookies out of the arena and into the parking lot. We go to commercial.

– Back from the break and we get a replay of the WWE Superstars chasing the NXT Rookies out of the building. Justin Roberts catches up with Sheamus backstage and asks him why he helped John Cena just now. Sheamus says he’s not letting the Rookies hurt his WWE Title match and if anyone is going to take out Cena, it’s going to be him.

– We get a replay of the Divas Battle Royal at last week’s Viewer’s Choice RAW.

Eve Torres and Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox and Maryse

We go to the ring where the WWE Divas Champion Eve makes her way out. Out next is her partner, Gail Kim. Alicia Fox is out next followed by her partner Maryse. It’s announced these four will compete at the Fatal 4 Way pay-per-view for Eve’s title. Eve and Maryse start the match off and go at it. Maryse backs Eve into the ropes but gets kicked. Eve drops Maryse but gets hit in the back of the head by Alicia. Eve turns around to a spin kick from Maryse and a 2 count.

Alicia comes in and they double team Eve some. Alicia with a bridged suplex for a 2 count. Alicia rubs her knee into Eve’s face now. Alicia with a headlock. Maryse comes back in and continues to beat up Eve. Alicia comes right back in on a tag and knocks Gail off the apron. Alicia rams Eve back into the corner and Maryse tries to choke her. Alicia accidently kicks Maryse to the floor. Eve hits a neckbreaker on Alicia for the win.

Winners: Eve and Gail Kim

– Lawler announces that it will be John Cena and Randy Orton vs. Sheamus and Edge in the main event tonight. The Miz vs. R-Truth is announced for Fatal 4 Way. We see Big Show and Mark Feuerstein backstage getting ready as we go to commercial.

Big Show and Mark Feuerstein vs. Ted DiBiase and Virgil

Back from the commercial and out comes Big Show first. Big Show takes the mic and introduces who he calls his best friend. His partner, actor Mark “Main Event” Feuerstein is out next. Out next comes Virgil and Ted DiBiase, who is wearing the Million Dollar belt. Show and Ted start the match off. Ted goes behind Show to start but Show fights him off and drops him with a headbutt. Show puts his weight down in Ted’s face in the corner. Big chops by Show.

Show picks Ted back up and gives him another huge chop in the corner. Ted hits a thumb to the eye and goes to work on Show. Show knocks Ted back into the corner. Ted tags in Virgil. Virgil goes to the floor but Show pulls him in the ring by his head. Virgil rolls back out to the floor holding his back. Virgil tries to leave but Feuerstein throws him back in the ring. Show bodyslams Virgil again and it looks like it hurts. Show walks over Virgil’s chest and throws him into the corner. Show nails huge chops on Virgil. Show hits Virgil with a big chokeslam and tags in Feuerstein. He does the worm and then drops a big winding elbow on Virgil. Ted just looks on as Feuerstein covers Virgil for the win.

Winners: Big Show and Mark Feuerstein

– After the match, Show and Feuerstein celebrate going up the ramp. Ted stands over Virgil looking disappointed. Ted goes to leave the ring while Virgil is laid out but he stops. Ted takes a $100 bill and stuffs it into Virgil’s mouth. Ted goes to leave again but stops again. Ted goes back and picks up the $100 bill, then leaves the ring with his Million Dollar belt. We go to commercial.

William Regal vs. Santino Marella

Back from the break and Santino Marella is in the ring with William Regal. The special guest referee is introduced next and it is… Vladimir Kozlov. Kozlov takes off his robe to reveal a referee shirt. Kozlov yells for the bell and here we go. Santino stalls to start the match. He tries a slow back kick and Regal drops him with a right. Regal drops a knee on Santino and slams him back down. Regal works on Santino’s arm now.

Santino turns a backdrop into a roll-up and Kozlov is slow to get down to the mat. Kozlov counts the 1-2-3 and Santino gets the win, with a handful of trunks it looks like.

Winner: Santino Marella

– After the match, Regal argues with Kozlov. Bret Hart’s music hits and he asks Kozlov, Regal and Santino to join him on the stage. Bret says he has asked all the RAW Superstars to join him on the stage so history doesn’t repeat itself. The entire RAW roster, except for Cena, Sheamus, Edge and Orton, comes out on the stage to stand with Bret. We get a graphic for the main event and go back to commercial.

Edge and Sheamus vs. Randy Orton and John Cena

Back from the break and the entire RAW roster is on the stage. Out first comes Edge followed by his partner Sheamus. Out first for his team comes Randy Orton to a nice reaction. Finally out comes the WWE Champion John Cena to a big pop. Mark Henry and The Great Khali salute Cena as he stops on the stage. Cena starts the match off with Sheamus.

Cena puts a headlock on Sheamus and they go to the mat. Sheamus gets to the ropes and Cena has to break the hold. Sheamus goes for a kick but Cena dodges it. Cena applies a full nelson but Sheamus gets to the ropes. Cena tags in Orton and Orton kicks Sheamus in the gut and applies a headlock of his own. Orton takes Sheamus to the mat hard. Sheamus comes back and knocks Orton into the corner. Edge is tagged in now. Edge works Orton over until Orton fights back. Orton goes for the RKO but Edge counters and slides out to the floor. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and Cena is going at it with Edge. Cena with a fisherman’s suplex and a 2 count. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Edge counters and misses a clothesline. Cena clotheslines Edge and goes for a cover but Edge is on the ropes. Cena knocks Edge out to the floor. Edge comes back in and drops Cena’s neck over the ropes. Edge tags in Sheamus for a bit of double teaming. Sheamus stomps away on Cena now. Sheamus drops Cena with a right hand for a 2 count. Sheamus hits a running knee to Cena’s jaw and lays him out. Sheamus distracts the ref while Edge chokes Cena. Sheamus stomps on Cena in the corner now and tags back in Edge.

Edge continues the attack on Cena. Cena counters a suplex and hits a suplex of his own on Edge. Sheamus is tagged in again. He stops Cena from tagging in Orton. Sheamus chops Cena in the chest on the apron and Cena falls to the floor. The referee is distracted as Edge stomps Cena on the floor. Sheamus comes out and rams Cena back into the fan barrier. Sheamus brings Cena back into the ring and covers him for a 2 count. Sheamus hits Cena with a big clothesline for another 2 count. Sheamus applies an arm submission now but Cena fights back to his feet. Sheamus tightens the hold and drops to the mat with his arms locked around Cena’s neck. Cena gets to his feet with Sheamus on his back. Cena walks to Orton with Sheamus on his back but can’t make it as Sheamus drops back to the mat for a 2 count. Edge comes in. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Edge counters it. Edge gets ready for a spear now. Edge charges but Cena moves out of the way and Edge hits the turnbuckle. Sheamus and Orton come in at the same time. Orton with clotheslines and a big scoop slam. Orton kicks Sheamus and brings him back into the ring with the second rope DDT. Edge comes from behind on Orton but Orton hits the RKO on him. Orton turns around to a big kick to the face from Sheamus. Sheamus with a big backbreaker on Orton and a 2 count.

Sheamus drops knees on Orton now as the crowd chants RKO. Orton tries to fight back but Sheamus knocks him to the mat for another 2 count. Sheamus drags Orton back to the corner and tags in Edge for some double teaming. Edge wails away on Orton with right hands. Edge stomps and drops knees on Orton. Orton fights back on Sheamus and Edge. Sheamus hits the floor. Edge drops Orton and continues hitting him with rights. Orton finally tags in Cena and here he comes. The camera cuts backstage where the NXT Rookies are destroying everything. Barrett and Sheffield drag Bret Hart over. Otunga rips his shirt off. They load Bret into a black limousine and tell it to drive off. The limo speeds out in reverse, crashing into another limousine. The limo backs up and hits another limousine. It continues to back up and smash another car. The limo stops and the Rookies open the door, yelling at Bret. They tell the car to start again. It speeds up and continues to ram into other cars. The Rookies drag Bret out of the limousine and set him on the ground. Wade Barrett says they want an answer by Sunday about their contracts. The Rookies run off. RAW goes off the air with Bret Hart laid out up against the crashed limousine.

Report by Marc Middleton

– CM Punk made reference to the incident that led to Daniel Bryan’s WWE release at Sunday night’s SmackDown live event from Hampton, Virginia. Before his match with Kane. Punk entered the ring and forced ring announcer Tony Chimel into the corner of the ring. Punk grabbed Chimel’s neck tie and looked back and forth between the tie and Chimmel’s face, threatening him.

– Tyler Reks is back on road with the SmackDown crew, losing to Christian at this weekend’s live events. Reks cut heel promos before the matches, referring to himself as “T-Reks.”

– Jim Ross will be spending some time looking at talents at WWE’s developmental territory FCW in Florida soon.

– WWE’s roster page says that Curt Hawkins and Vance Archer have earned their SmackDown “contracts” after “several acts of squared circle chaos.” In what looks to be a cheap shot at TNA, Archer’s bio says he used to wrestle for a “regional promotion in Florida” before joining WWE. As you may know, Archer used to wrestle as Lance Hoyt in TNA, which runs the majority of its shows out of Orlando, Florida.

WWE Champion John Cena has posted a message on Twitter regarding Daniel Bryan’s release from the company. Check it out below, and then VOTE HERE & tell us if you think Daniel Bryan’s WWE release is legit or just a storyline.

Cena wrote on Twitter.com/WWEJCena:

“I am very upset to hear about the release of bryan danielson. Social networks were formed so people would have a voice, and an opinon. I know you all have your own, theories and whatnot. I respect that. I have never asked any of you to feel a certaint way about me. But Bryan left a lasting impression on the wwe universe in a very short time, and although it came at my expense, I agree with the majority of you who are caught off guard by this choice.

I know I’m not exactly appreciated by all, nor do I care to be, but I believe what I believe. I would like bryan to come back to the wwe. I would like to sign your petition to bring him back. I was taught to stand up for what I beileve in. I tried and failed, so I could use some help. Tell me how to sign and I will. If for nothing else, to at least have a chance to have a match with him after what was done I know that seems a bit more fair. Give me a chance to have a fair match with him, and give him yet another chance to prove that he does belong with us.

Sorry for the long message, I know I am probally way out of line, I am sorry if I have offended anyone. But like me or not, that is what Hustle. Loyalty. And most importantly Respect means to me.”

[poll id=”20″]

Bryan Danielson

WWE announced on Friday that NXT season 1 rookie Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) was released effective immediately and wished him the best in all future endeavors. People in WWE, including the creative team, were told that Danielson was fired for his conduct during the NXT Invasion angle on last week’s RAW. He was shown choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie during and spit on WWE champion John Cena during the heated angle.

The industry buzz is that a very powerful person outside of WWE complained to Vince McMahon about Danielson’s choking of Justin Roberts and deemed it too violent for WWE’s PG audience. There’s talk that Danielson broke a company protocol that was put in place after the Chris Benoit tragedy that nobody is to use ropes or other objects to choke opponents. Exactly who made the complaint isn’t known. but there’s speculation that it could be someone from Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign.

Read More: Jim Ross Comments On Daniel Bryan’s WWE Release & Future

The within WWE is that Bryan Danielson is being thrown under the bus. The company apparently does want to bring him back once the whole thing blows over. He has a 90-day no compete clause, but after that time would be free to join TNA.

For what it’s worth, Danielson has been described as having a great attitude backstage during his brief WWE run and was liked by most.

Bryan Danielson changed his Twitter account from to Twitter.com/bryandanielson. He wrote on Saturday:

“Just changed my twitter name to Bryan Danielson. The winds of change are stirring.”

On Sunday, he followed up with:

“Biding my time, waiting for the right moment to speak.”

Update: WWE Champion John Cena has posted a lengthy message on Twitter regarding Danielson’s WWE release. Check it out here: John Cena Comments On Daniel Bryan’s WWE Release

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— Early sales figures for WWE’s WrestleMania XXVI DVD are low to say the least. After its first two weeks on the market, the DVD set has sold 24,810 units. To compare, WrestleMania XXV sold 106,427 units within its first two weeks, while previous years were in the 150,000 to 200,000 range.

— NXT Rookie Lucky Cannon wasn’t given his developmental name, Johnny Prime, because the company doesn’t want anymore “John’s” on the roster.

— Quinton Jackson was popular backstage at Raw once everyone saw how much enjoyed being around wrestlers.

– WWE recently trademarked the term “The Network” – which will likely be used for the company’s planned cable network.

– Despite the fact that the NXT Season 1 rookies were all portrayed as heels on Monday’s RAW during the NXT invasion, Justin Gabriel wrestled at Thursday’s FCW tapings as a babyface and did not wear his NXT black armband. David Otunga wrestled on the same show, worked as a heel and wore the black & yellow “N” armband the NXT crew wore on RAW.

– Former WWE and WCW star Haku (Meng) was also Thursday’s FCW tapings. Haku’s son, Donny Marlow, was recently aligned with the Uso Twins and Tamina before they were called up to the main roster.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Solomonster Sounds Off

DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 112)
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Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Solomonster raves about the NXT angle on Raw, then rants on the firing of Bryan Danielson, plus thoughts on the resurrection of Survivor Series, making title belts mean more and the Sound Off’s new home on FACEBOOK!

Want your question on the air? Send feedback to THESOLOMONSTER@gmail.com.

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Visit The Solomonster on Twitter @ twitter.com/solomonster

Despite the fact that that many within WWE still think Daniel Bryan’s release is a work and part of an angle, all indications are that he has indeed been released.

For those who haven’t been following the story, Bryan was released after a (still unknown) powerful figure complained that Bryan’s conduct during the NXT invasion on RAW went beyond what the company allows on television. Bryan choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie and spit on John Cena, which WWE management considered grounds for releasing him.

WWE officials have told everyone in the company about Bryan’s release – from executives to the marketing department. Bryan is already seeking work on the independent scene. The final decision to release Bryan was made early Friday and he was informed shortly before WWE announced it on the company website.

WWE gave Bryan the impression that they would work together in the future, but for now – he’s a casualty of company politics.

Danielson’s last match with WWE was on Wednesday night at the FCW event in Florida where he took part in a continuation of the NXT invasion.

Obviously the invasion angle will be hurt now with his departure as he was considered the most well-rounded star of the group.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on Daniel Bryan’s WWE release this week.

“I was surprised to get up Saturday morning and to read that Daniel Bryan or Bryan Danielson had been released from WWE,” wrote Ross. “I am not sure of the exact circumstances and until that information is confirmed it’s hard to make any definitive comments. Bryan is a talented wrestler who is not going to have any trouble finding work. His in ring style is unique, the young man has certainly paid his ‘dues,’ what ever that means now days, and he’s arguably the most talked about performer on NXT.”

Ross acknowledges that Daniel Bryan is in a unique position to capitalize on the strong push he’s had in recent weeks, culminating with him laying out WWE champion John Cena in his final WWE appearance.

“Certainly Bryan leaves WWE with momentum and with more fans knowing his name than at any point in his career,” Ross said. “Plus, who is to say that Bryan will never return to WWE? There may be a great deal more to this matter than any of us know or, honestly, need to know at this time.”

(Credit to F4Wonline.com for some of the info used in this report)

People in WWE, including the creative team, were told that Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) was fired for choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with his own tie during the NXT invasion angle on RAW this past Monday.

The shot was edited from replays of the angle and was described as being too violent for what WWE allows on it’s programming.

There’s talk that a very powerful person (either in WWE or from the USA Network) complained to WWE officials about the angle, claiming that Bryan’s choking of Justin Roberts was way too extreme for the children who may have been watching.

The feeling within the WWE locker room is that Daniel Bryan is being uused as a scapegoat. WWE apparently does want to bring him back once the whole thing blows over.

For what it’s worth, Danielson has been described as having a great attitude backstage and “the type of person you would want your locker room filled with.”

WWE made the following announcement on their official website late Friday night:

“WWE has come to terms on the release of NXT first season rookie Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) as of today June 11, 2010. We wish Daniel Bryan the best in all future endeavors.”

After checking with our sources in WWE, it appears the release of Daniel Bryan is legit. WWE executives Donna Goldsmith and Michelle Wilson were informed of Daniel Bryan’s release before the news was made public.

While it’s still possible that this is part of a storyline and this could be another example of  WWE’s new initiative feature more realistic elements in their storytelling, the fact that WWE executives were informed of the release first leads us to believe it’s legit.

On Tuesday’s NXT Season 2 premiere show, we saw the debut of a new female ring announcer – developmental diva Jamie Keyes. We’ve done some research and have some more information regarding the lovely Ms. Keyes.

Jamie Keyes’ real name is Brittany Beede and she’s a model from Sarasota, Florida. She recently opened a Twitter page at Twitter.com/realjamiekeyes.

Keyes worked briefly with TNA last year, accompanying Kevin Nash to the ring at December’s Final Resolution pay-per-view.

She was also set to work with women’s wrestling promotion Wrestleicious and recently filmed some promo footage for them, but received a call from WWE last month and the rest is history.

Here are some pictures from Keyes’ Myspace page:

The following is scheduled for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown:

– Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger.

– Layla w/Michelle McCool & Kaval vs. Tiffany w/Kelly Kelly.

– Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler.

– Big Show vs. CM Punk.

Plus, more on the Undertaker’s condition and appearances by Teddy Long, Kane, Drew McIntyre and more.

SmackDown *SPOILERS*

Credit to reader  Shannon Sylvia and Wrestling News World for this live report from Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown! tapings from the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa Bay, Florida:

WWE SmackDown (Airing Friday)
* SmackDown opens with a recap of The Undertaker being found in a vegetative state where Kane vows there will be vengeance. Rey Mysterio is then shown winning last week’s Battle Royal match for Undertaker’s vacant spot at WWE’s upcoming Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view.

* Big Show will take on CM Punk while Jack Swagger will take on Rey Mysterio. Fatal 4-Way participants compete with Mysterio and Swagger kicking off this week’s edition of SmackDown.

* Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger
Rey comes out and talks about last week’s show where he won the SmackDown battle royal and says it’ll be his World Title. He’s cut off by Jack Swagger’s music. Swagger comes out and tells Rey to capitalize on the misfortune of The Undertaker. He then mocks Mysterio where he says he was winning in. Lots of 619 chants. Rey thinks all that education went to a waste and says he’s proud of his heritage. CM Punks comes out with SES and says “Malcom X got JFK in 1963” and this time he fell victim to the Season One NXT rookies. Punk then talks about how he’ll be a four time straightedge World Heavyweight Champion.

Rey Mysterio tells CM Punk that he is daring to take his mask off after Punk had his head shaved. Big Show comes out and says he will take care of business where he’ll beat three competitors and walk out the World Champion. Big Show then mocks Punk by saying he looks good bald. He can’t help but wonder if Kane’s responsible for Undertaker’s demise. When Kane finds out who did it someone will end up in Taker’s casket. Kane says it could be four people that did it and promises their will be vengeance.

Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger finally begins with a few back and forth moves. Swagger holds Rey to the ground until Rey rolls out of it and hits a move that sends Jack flying from the ring. Swagger smashes Mysterio into the turnbuckle. Rey hits a 619 and a frog-splash for a two-count. Rey is shocked. The two go at each other with Rey hitting a few moves until he tosses Jack back into the ring. Rey gets thrown out of the ring as Swagger stands tall until; he goes out of the ring and beats him up. Swagger goes for a submission move but Rey fights back until Swagger hits a clothesline for a nearfall. Swagger tries for a suplex off of the turnbuckle for a nearfall but ultimately gets heat from the fans. Rey makes a comeback and gets the win after reversing the gutwrench powerbomb into a 619.

After the match Swagger attacks Rey until Kane comes out and takes both of them out.

* Layla w/Michelle McCool & Kaval b. Tiffany w/Kelly Kelly
Lay-Cool came out and tell the crowd to be quiet and said they are there to get a famous flawless makeover. Michelle McCool starts teaching Kaval a lesson. The match was fairly short with Michelle distracting the referee. Layla got the win after a sloppy neckbreaker.

* Christian b. Dolph Ziggler
Vickie Guerrero comes out and introduces Dolph Ziggler after Christian came out to the ring. The match starts with Vickie watching. Dolph dominates the first part of the match even hitting a stunner on Christian. Christian eventually gains control over the match and gets the win with a rollup pinfall. After the match Curt Hawkins & Vance Archer make a statement. Dolph then puts Christian in a sleeperhold and then he walks out with Vickie.

* Kane is shown looking over the casket with dead roses on top. He says that his soul is empty and he will lead vengeance into hell.

* Drew MacIntyre comes out and demands that Teddy Long comes out. Long comes out and Drew tells him to watch what happened to him last week on Raw. He says that Matt Hardy is suspended from all WWE programming. Drew then gets in Teddy’s face. Kofi Kingston comes out and says he earned the Intercontinental Championship like a man. Kofi and Drew exchange blows until Kofi finally takes him out.

* Teddy Long is then shown on the phone. Drew comes into his office and says next week he’ll be taking him on. If Long loses, he’ll be fired according to Mr. McMahon.

* Big Show b. CM Punk w/SES via DQ
CM Punk and Big Show start out doing their boxing moves. Punk then goes for a kick and climbs until Show dares him to give him a KO punch. Show tries to rip off Punk’s mask followed by some chops. Show goes for the chokeslam and once again tries to remove Punk’s mask. SES and a ‘hooded’ individual come in the ring and take out Big Show. Kane comes out and cleans house. He takes Big Show out with a chokeslam. This ends this week’s edition of SmackDown.

Dark Match Main Event

– Big Show & Rey Mysterio beat Jack Swagger & CM Punk w/SES in a dark steel cage main event match.

Last month, Carlos Colon, father of former WWE superstar Carlito, made headlines when he stated that Carlito had a problem with prescription pain pills and left WWE after refusing to enter rehab.

Read More: Carlito’s Dad Says Carlito Has A Problem With Prescription Pills

Carlos Colon spoke to Peurto Rico newspaper “El Nuevo Dia” this week and gave the following update on Carlito’s situation:

– Carlito did not enter rehab program, but is no longer on pills and is no longer in pain. The time away from WWE has helped his body recover.

– Carlito is back in the gym and training again after taking some time off.

– Carlito lives with his mother in Texas.

– Carlos thinks Carlito should wrestle in Puerto Rico for a while before going back to the demanding WWE schedule.

– Carlito asked for time off from WWE on several occasions, but WWE rejected his requests.

TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was interviewed this week by Fanhouse.com to promote Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what Jarrett said about:

His Role in TNA: “I have zero to do with that (creative). It’s a breath of fresh air for myself because it’s a consuming job. At times, it completely consumes your life where it’s almost like you can’t see the forest through the trees. It not only takes up a lot of time but it takes up, I guess you could say, a lot of mental space.”

Being Engaged to Karen Angle & His relationship with Kurt Angle: “Me and Kurt are good and that’s a private matter and I’ll definitely leave it at that. I don’t discuss things like that. But it’s a very good, thriving relationship.”

The Possibility of iMPACT! Ever Returning To Mondays: “This sounds real clichéish but if the time was right, absolutely we would. But you know what, the timing, and I’m not talking about just internally on TV, I’m talking externally with Spike and different things with momentum going and different marketing plans and different dollars being invested and how we’re going to advertise as well as in the show with storylines to have it all make sense. Let’s just say the stars would certainly have to align but if they did align without a doubt.”

– WWE Champion John Cena has posted his first message on Twitter since the brutal beatdown he suffered at the hands of the NXT rookies at the end of RAW. Cena wrote:

“CeNation. Sorry for delay. Checked out fine. Mild concussion and some back and hip trouble, but I am in 1 piece. Thank u for your concern.”

Read More: John Cena & Wade Barrett To Feud

– The fan voting at Monday’s Viewer’s Choice RAW was legitimate. While the writing of Monday’s show did push fans to vote for particular people, they had plans in place for each scenario in the fan voting didn’t go as the company hoped for.

– WWE’s website had 12.4 million unique visitors for the month of April. The WWE Shop website averaged 633 orders per day and shipped 277,000 DVDs for the month, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

-There is a new movement in WWE’s overall booking philosophy to feature more realistic programming and to push younger, smaller stars. The NXT invasion on RAW and the recent storyline with Daniel Bryan vs. Michael Cole are examples of angles that are “out of the norm” for WWE.

WWE also knows that stars like The Undertaker, Triple H, Edge, Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and Big Show won’t be around forever. Some of today’s top young talents (The Miz, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Daniel Bryan, Kaval) are smaller than the current breed of main eventers and the company realizes that the smaller guys need to be portrayed well. Evan Bourne in particular is in line for a big push and has the endorsement of John Cena, but it remains to be seen how committed WWE is to the push.

– As we reported earlier this week, the reaction backstage after the NXT invasion on RAW was very positive. The angle was kept a secret from almost everyone in the company and wasn’t even listed on the show’s script.

Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– Following the NXT invasion on RAW, there are plans for John Cena to feud with Wade Barrett for the WWE championship this summer. The match could headline a summer pay-per-view and would be another example of WWE shooting another young star to the top in a feud with John Cena, ala Sheamus.

– Speaking of John Cena, he is still scheduled to appear at this week’s live WWE events, but WWE will likely want to sell the beatdown he suffered on RAW – so he may not wrestle this week.

– Tuesday’s WWE NXT Season 2 premiere did a 1.07 cable rating with 1,529,000 viewers. Viewersihp was up 8% compared to last week’s Season 1 finale.

– WWE creative is currently happy with the Michelle McCool – Layla tag team, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While some saw them as a “Beautiful People” knockoff at first, Lay Cool is seen as a hot act with a lot of potential.

The NXT Invasion storyline continued at last night’s WWE developmental show in Florida.

The main event was scheduled to be The Miz and Daniel Bryan vs. Christian and Heath Slater – but that match never happened. The Miz’s music played before the match but nobody came out. Christian came out next and talked about what happened on RAW, then called out Heath Slater. Slater talked about how everything started off fine between them – but then Christian wouldn’t give him the answers so they lost the competition.

Daniel Bryan then ran out and attacked Christian from behind. The Miz came down next and helped Christian fight off the NXT rookies. Miz grabbed a microphone and proposed that they switch partners – and instead have a Pros vs. Rookies match. Miz and Christian worked as babyfaces during the match.

As Miz and Christian were about to hit their finishing moves on the Rookies, the rest of the NXT Season 1 Rookies rushed the ring and beat down Miz and Christian

As we saw on RAW, the Rookies destroyed the ringside area and tore down the FCW ring -  before Bryan kicked Miz in the head and Slater hit the Killswitch on Christian. The Rookies left with the Pros laid out.

The NXT Invasion angle looks like it’s here to stay. Considering the  strong feedback we got here on the site and the overall buzz in the industry this week, WWE has finally gone back to basics with a captivating wrestling angle that might just keep fans tuned in this summer.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon showed up at WWE’s television tapings this past week with two black eyes and a cut over one eye that went to his forehead, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Nobody seemed to know what happened. Everyone was talking about it privately, but as you can imagine, nobody wanted to be overheard speculating about how Vince got so banged up.

Vince never addressed the situation publicly and if he did tell anybody what happened – they’re not talking about it.

Our source says it looked like Vince got into a fight or car accident. Most figured he was in an accident, because if it were a fight, it would be hard to keep that quiet.

Reader Gary C from Springfield, MO (SEScoops member “GCMissouri”) sent in this report:

Conservative pundit Ann Coulter wrote in her weekly column that she hoped that Sarah Palin would endorse McMahon’s Republican Primary opponent Bob Simmons because otherwise the Republicans would be “kissing the possibility of a major upset in Connecticut goodbye.”

Coulter described Linda as a “professional wrestling impresario” and expressed disappointment that those who attended the GOP caucus in CT last month endorsed Linda due only to the fact that “offered to spend up to $50 million of her own money on the campaign.” Coulter said that “any half-wit knows” that people in CT would not vote for her.

Coulter outlined in 19 of 20 instances where a candidate said they would spend a great deal of their own money… those candidates did not win. She argued that if McMahon is nominated that Republicans would blow a big opportunity for them to pickup a U.S. Senate seat vs. the Democrat candidate Richard Blumenthal, who was strongly criticized for recently lying about his Vietnam War service last month.

Coulter is an influential conservative writer and commentator that is quite popular among Republican voters at the grassroots level and Tea-Party members, so this cannot be good news for Linda.

The article can be seen at AnnCoulter.com.

– The Undertaker underwent surgery this past week on his damaged orbital bone. As we reported earlier this week, the Undertaker is expected to be off television until SummerSlam. When he returns, there are plans for a program with World Heavyweight champion Jack Swagger – a sign that Swagger’s title is safe for now.

– Attendance figures are in for WWE’s recent European tour are in and the numbers are not good. This tour averaged 6,600 paid fans per show while last year’s tour averaged 8,100 paid fans per show – a decline of 18.5%. Considering the fact that WWE has relied on the strength of its international business when business has been down in the United States, this is something to be concerned about.

– Chris Jericho’s new gig as a game show host for ABC network’s “Downfall” show has been a major topic of discussion backstage in WWE for the past 2 weeks.  The company was unable to talk Jericho out of doing the show. Jericho is under contract with WWE until this Fall and his new gig has caused many to fear he’ll get others in the entertainment business that would cause him to take another hiatus from WWE.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter